T1 players invited to Tottenham home game
Faker gives a thumbs up while wearing his son’s autographed uniform
Tottenham of the English Premier League (EPL) released a photo of captain Son Heung-min (32) and e-sports star Faker (Lee Sang-hyuk, 28) together on the club’s Instagram on the 5th.
Son Heung-min took a photo with League of Legends (LoL) players from the professional gaming team T1, including Faker. Most T1 players gave a thumbs up while wearing a Tottenham uniform signed by Son Heung-min. According to a T1 official, the photo was taken at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Tottenham’s home stadium, in London, England on the 3rd.
T1 defeated the Chinese team Bilibili Gaming (BLG) with a set score of 3-2 in the final of the ‘LoL World Championship’ held at O Arena in London on the 2nd, winning the championship for the second year in a row and the fifth time in total. Faker, who has been active only in T1 since his professional gaming debut in 2013, increased his record for most Worlds wins to five.
T1 players watched the EPL match between Tottenham and Aston Villa held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the day after the World Cup. At that time, T1 posted a picture of the players sitting in the stands on Instagram and wrote, ‘Thank you to Son Heung-min and Tottenham for inviting us.’ Son Heung-min contributed to Tottenham’s 4-1 win by recording one assist in this game.
Son Heung-min is known to enjoy playing LoL during his breaks. In a past Tottenham interview, Son Heung-min said, “I want to eat with Korean e-sports star Faker.”
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Reporter Jeong Yun-cheol [email protected]
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Interview between Time.news Editor and E-sports Expert, Dr. Min-Ji Han
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Han! We’re thrilled to have you here to discuss the exciting intersection of e-sports and traditional sports, especially after the recent event where T1 players, including the legendary Faker, were invited to a Tottenham Hotspur game. What do you think about the significance of this crossover?
Dr. Han: Thank you for having me! This event represents a remarkable synergy between e-sports and traditional sports. The gaming community is rapidly evolving, and collaborations like this highlight the growing recognition of e-sports as a legitimate and respected form of entertainment. When icons from two vastly different arenas come together, it fosters a sense of unity and mutual respect.
Editor: Absolutely! We saw Tottenham’s captain, Son Heung-min, alongside Faker and the T1 team at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. How do you think these interactions influence the perception of e-sports, especially among traditional sports fans?
Dr. Han: It’s important for the e-sports community to break down barriers and showcase its inclusivity. When well-known athletes like Son Heung-min engage with e-sports players, it bridges the gap for fans who may not be as familiar with gaming. This exposure can lead to a shift in perception—where e-sports is seen not just as entertainment for a niche audience but as a mainstream activity that involves skill, strategy, and teamwork, much like traditional sports.
Editor: You mentioned teamwork, which is an essential aspect of both e-sports and traditional sports. How does the competitive atmosphere in e-sports mirror that of sports like soccer?
Dr. Han: The competitive spirit is very similar. In e-sports, players often train rigorously, develop strategies, and face off against each other in high-pressure situations, just like in soccer. The recent triumph of T1, winning the LoL World Championship for the fifth time, is a testament to their dedication and teamwork. In both fields, success relies on collaboration and the ability to perform under pressure.
Editor: Following T1’s victory, they watched Tottenham play against Aston Villa, and Son Heung-min contributed significantly to that match with an assist. What does it mean for T1 to celebrate both their achievements and those in traditional sports?
Dr. Han: Celebrating achievements in both fields creates a narrative of excellence and resilience. For T1, it was not only a celebration of their hard work and success in the World Championship but also a recognition of Son’s contribution to his team. This validates their hard work and brings visibility to the e-sports industry, potentially inspiring future players to pursue a career in gaming.
Editor: With these events increasingly becoming common, what can we expect for the future of e-sports collaborations with traditional sports teams?
Dr. Han: The future looks promising! As more traditional sports teams recognize the massive fanbase and financial backing associated with e-sports, we can expect to see more collaborative events, sponsorships, and even cross-promotional campaigns. These partnerships will not only broaden both industries’ audiences but may also open up new revenue streams and opportunities for marketing strategies that appeal to a diverse group of fans.
Editor: Dr. Han, you’ve painted a vibrant picture of the evolving landscape between e-sports and traditional sports. This engagement between worlds has a lot of potential for the future. Thank you for your insights today!
Dr. Han: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see where this journey takes both e-sports and traditional sports in the coming years.